According to the President, Finland’s progress towards NATO membership, which is hampered by Turkey’s demands, looks a little brighter Sauli Niinistö.
According to the President, the positive assessment was based on several discussions he had with the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Niinistö will comment on the matter Monday after meeting with a delegation of U.S. senators before he is scheduled to meet with Erdoğan the next day.
The Prime Minister of Sweden will also be present at the NATO summit in Madrid on Tuesday Magdalena Andersson and the Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenbergparticipating in the negotiations on the pending membership of the military alliance.
The Nordic countries formally applied to join NATO on 18 May.
However, the road to membership – which requires the unanimous approval of all 30 Allies – stalled after Erdoğan accused the peoples "protection of terrorists," draw up a list of requirements that must be met before negotiations can continue.
At the U.S. Senator on Monday Jeanne ShaheenThe Democrat in New Hampshire and co-chair of the NATO Observer Group in the Senate, told reporters in Helsinki that he wanted to show the United States "very strong" to support Finland’s accession to NATO.
"We think it is important not only for Finland and NATO, but also for the United States, because you are bringing capacity and capabilities that are very important to NATO." Shaheen said at a press conference in Mäntyniemi, the president’s official residence in Helsinki.
Important support
"I was happy to lead the letter with a Republican colleague, [signed by] 82 senators are in favor of joining. We hope that, after the Madrid Summit, we will be able to act on its request very quickly in the US Senate and see it happen in all NATO countries." Shaheen said.
"Especially now that we are looking at Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine, it is very important that we show unity and the ability to show [Russian President] Putin that he must be held accountable for" he said.
Niinistö said that the United States has shown consistent support for Finland’s NATO membership.
"Support has been very important," He said and pointed out that the support of Finnish MPs for joining NATO is very high in various parties. He pointed out that a joint letter signed by 82 senators, to which Shaheen referred, showed similar united political support in the United States.
"We hope to meet in Madrid the same atmosphere and spirit we had at the time [today's] discussions – understand the importance of guaranteeing peace and a peaceful life for all citizens in all countries. Including Finland and Sweden will increase their security by joining NATO," Niinistö said.
In addition to Shaheen, the U.S. delegation included a Democratic senator from Delaware Chris CoonsIowa Republican Senator Joni ErnstRepublican Senator of Nebraska Deb Fischer and the Republican Senator of Missouri Roy Blunt.
Source: The Nordic Page